Smart #1 Review: The Electric City SUV Everyone’s Suddenly Talking About
31.01.2026 - 18:38:03 | ad-hoc-news.de
You know that moment when you spot the perfect parking space… and your car is just a bit too big to squeeze in? Or when you love the idea of going electric, but every EV you test drive is either a cramped city pod or a hulking SUV that feels like overkill for your daily life?
That tension has defined the EV market for years: small means compromised, big means expensive and unwieldy. And if you live in or near a city, you’re stuck in the middle — wanting range, comfort, and tech without driving something the size of a suburban school bus.
That's exactly the itch the Smart #1 is trying to scratch.
Smart has grown up, literally and figuratively. Once known for tiny two-seaters, the brand — now jointly developed by Mercedes-Benz Group AG (ISIN: DE0007100000) and Geely — has reinvented itself with a compact electric SUV that aims to blend big-car usability with small-car urban agility.
Meet the Smart #1: The City EV That Finally Acts Like a Real Car
The Smart #1 is a fully electric compact SUV designed for people who want an easy-to-park, tech-forward car that doesn’t feel like a compromise on range, comfort, or performance.
Based on Smart's official German site and recent European reviews, the Smart #1 offers:
- A usable WLTP range of up to around 400+ km (varies by version), which translates to confident weekly commuting without constant charging anxiety.
- Fast charging (DC) capability that can take the battery from low to around 80% in a coffee-and-groceries stop, depending on charger and variant.
- A surprisingly spacious interior for its footprint, with a high seating position and generous rear legroom.
- Modern driver assistance and infotainment, with a distinctive, futuristic interior that feels more premium than you’d expect for the badge.
If the original Smart ForTwo was a radical answer to urban congestion, the Smart #1 is the more mature response to today’s EV expectations: space, range, tech, and style in one compact, electric package.
Why this specific model?
So why should you look at the Smart #1 instead of yet another small crossover from a mainstream brand? The short version: it's built for real-world urban and suburban life rather than spec-sheet bragging rights.
1. Size that fits your life, not your ego
The Smart #1 sits in the compact SUV class, but it's shorter and more maneuverable than many competitors. That means easier parking, tighter turning, and less stress threading through crowded city streets — without feeling like you're in a tiny microcar.
Real-world reports from owners and testers note that visibility is good and the elevated driving position feels "proper SUV" even though the exterior footprint stays city-friendly.
2. Range that makes an EV your daily driver, not your second car
Depending on the trim, the Smart #1's WLTP range gives you more than enough for daily commuting, weekend trips, and errands without constantly planning charging stops. Owners on European forums and Reddit discussions generally agree that for typical mixed driving, the range is more than adequate — especially if you can charge at home or at work.
The key benefit: you can treat the Smart #1 like your primary car, not just a city runabout tethered to the nearest charger.
3. Mercedes-influenced design, without Mercedes pricing
While Smart operates as its own brand, the design and user experience clearly show Mercedes-Benz DNA — especially in the interior design language and interface concepts. That means a more refined cabin than you might expect from a former "city car" brand: thoughtful ambient lighting, a clean and modern dashboard, and a central touchscreen that anchors the whole look.
Reviewers often highlight the cabin as a standout, with clever storage, comfortable seating, and a sense of airiness due to the relatively tall body and available panoramic glass roof in certain trims.
4. Punchy performance for the city and beyond
Most Smart #1 versions deliver brisk acceleration typical of modern EVs, making merging and overtaking feel effortless. For those who want more, performance-oriented variants like the Smart #1 BRABUS (on some markets) add dual-motor all-wheel drive and significantly more punch. Owners often describe it as "way quicker than it looks" and more than enough for everyday fun.
At a Glance: The Facts
| Feature | User Benefit |
|---|---|
| Compact electric SUV body | Easy to park and maneuver in cities while still offering SUV-like seating position and practicality. |
| All-electric drivetrain | Local zero-emissions driving, smooth acceleration, and lower running costs compared to combustion engines. |
| WLTP range up to around 400+ km (variant-dependent) | Confidence for daily commuting and weekend trips without constant charging stops. |
| Fast DC charging capability | Recharge from low to around 80% during a typical coffee or shopping break on compatible chargers. |
| Spacious interior with high seating position | Comfortable for adults front and rear, with good overview of the road and a "big car" feel inside. |
| Modern infotainment with central touchscreen | Easy access to navigation, media, and vehicle settings in a visually striking, futuristic UI. |
| Advanced driver-assistance systems (market-dependent) | Helps reduce fatigue and increase safety on longer drives and in dense traffic. |
What Users Are Saying
A sweep through recent Reddit threads and EV forums about the Smart #1 reveals a broadly positive sentiment, with a few recurring themes.
The praise:
- Space and comfort: Many owners are pleasantly surprised by how roomy the cabin feels versus the exterior size. Rear legroom in particular gets regular shout-outs.
- Fun to drive: Users like the instant EV torque and describe the Smart #1 as nimble in the city yet stable on highways.
- Design and interior ambiance: The exterior styling is often described as "cute but mature" and the interior lighting and materials impress, especially at night.
- Daily usability: For urban and suburban users, the combination of range, charging, and practicality hits a sweet spot.
The criticisms:
- Infotainment learning curve: Some users note that the central screen interface can feel a bit busy or unintuitive at first, with a lot of features buried in menus.
- Software niggles: As with many new EVs, there are scattered reports of minor software bugs or the need for updates, though these tend to be fixable over time.
- Brand perception: A few commenters mention that convincing friends and family that a "Smart" can be a true family car still takes some explaining.
The overall consensus: if you like the look and can live with the software quirks typical of new-generation EVs, the Smart #1 delivers a surprisingly premium and practical experience for its footprint.
Alternatives vs. Smart #1
The compact electric SUV segment is one of the hottest battlegrounds in the EV market right now. So how does the Smart #1 stack up?
- Versus tiny city EVs: Compared to ultra-compact EVs, the Smart #1 offers far more space, comfort, and flexibility. It's better suited as an only car for couples or small families, while still being urban-friendly.
- Versus larger electric SUVs: Against bulkier models, the Smart #1 feels easier to live with in tight European-style cities and older neighborhoods, while still providing the elevated driving position and practicality buyers love.
- Versus mainstream compact EV crossovers: Many rivals can match it on paper for range or charging speed, but the Smart #1 leans into style, interior ambiance, and a more premium-feeling cabin influenced by Mercedes-Benz design know-how as found via the broader Mercedes-Benz ecosystem at the manufacturer site.
Where some competitors feel like existing combustion cars retrofitted with batteries, the Smart #1 feels purpose-built as a modern electric urban SUV with its own distinct character.
Final Verdict
If you've been circling around the idea of going electric but keep bouncing between cars that are either too small, too big, or too bland, the Smart #1 deserves a serious look.
It takes Smart's urban DNA and stretches it into something far more versatile: a compact electric SUV that can handle school runs, late-night city drives, and weekend escapes — without feeling out of place in a tight parking garage.
The range is sufficient for real life, the driving experience is genuinely enjoyable, and the interior punches above its weight in terms of design and ambiance. Yes, there are some software rough edges and not everyone will immediately see Smart as a "grown-up" brand, but the product itself makes a strong argument.
If your life straddles buzzing city streets and open highways, and you want an EV that fits into your world rather than reshaping it, the Smart #1 might be that rare thing in today's car market: a smart compromise that doesn't feel like one.
Hol dir den Wissensvorsprung der Profis.
Seit 2005 liefert der Börsenbrief trading-notes verlässliche Trading-Empfehlungen – dreimal die Woche, direkt in dein Postfach. 100% kostenlos. 100% Expertenwissen. Trage einfach deine E-Mail Adresse ein und verpasse ab heute keine Top-Chance mehr.
Jetzt abonnieren.
